Combination envelope and return mailing device



Feb. 8, 1938. c. K. MILLER COMBINATION ENVELOFE AND RETURN MAILING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Shea*v l Filed June 18, 1936 IEl.

INVENTOR. C/Mz//vcfr K, M/Lf/l.

BY; A

ATTORNEY,

Feb. 8, 1938. c. K. M|L ER COMBINATION ENVELOPE AND RETURN MAILING DEVICE 195e 2 sheets-sheot 2 IE. 5

Filed June 18 d .ff 0 E. M W vl AH m m L l w B 0// if A M M K. W w d w lNvENToR, fawn/w62 MMM-w,

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION ENVELOPE AND RETURN 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a mailing device suitable for direct mail advertising purposes. The present invention seeks to provide a return mailing structure which requires a minimum amount of effort on the part of the recipient of the advertising literature or the like, to insure its return to the original sender of the literature.

Two .embodiments of the invention are illustrated herein, and these are representative disclosures. The advertising literature may be a book, a blotter, a letter, or any mailable material.

The chief feature of the invention consists in obtaining window envelope effect without cutting a window in an envelope and associating therewith a reply address structure, such as a card, or another envelope, the rst-mentioned envelope enclosing the advertising material of the character before mentioned, and the latter being operatively associated with the reply device, as hereinafter more specifically will be pointed out.

When the reply device is of post card form, it must comply with the postal regulations as to size, weight, and the like.

In many instances of use, the reply card form of the invention requires nothing more on the part of the recipient of the literature than removing the attached tab and depositing the reply card in the mails. In other instances, it may require a marking or checking for selective designation. Only in occasional instances does it require addressing or the signing of the reply device by the recipient and then only in exceptional circumstances necessary to comply with legal requirements.

With the return envelope type of reply device, a checking may or may not be necessary, as hereinafter to be pointed out. No signature or addressing normally will be required. The envelope may contain the money payment in the form of a bill, or the like, or a coin-holder card enclosed in a protective sheet, or the like.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the'following description and claims:

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a direct mail advertising device embodying the card form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1 and in the direction ofthe arrows.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and of the envelope type of device.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the reply envelope ,shown in section in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the addressed reply card shown in Fig. 2.

Fi-g. 6 is a rear View of the addressed reply card shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a front view of the addressed reply 5 envelope shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the addressed reply envelope shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I0 indicates the face of an envelope of desired size, I I the back and I2 the sealing flap. The face includes a pair of elongated and parallel slits I3. Slits I3 at their ends terminate in angularly and oppositely directed extensions I4, the extensions at adjacent ends being similarly directed. Such eX- tensions facilitate stuling.

Within the envelope is an article I5, such as a letter, blotter, pamphlet or the like mailable material.

An address reply structure I6 has a width slightly less than the effectivelength of the slits I3--I4. This structure is threaded through the slits I4 which exposes portion II carrying the address of the recipient of this mailing device. Above the address may be printed matter carryu ing a message IBa, or selections to be checked, see Fig. 6. The reverse side of the reply structure, herein illustrated as of post card character, carries the address I'Bb of the original sender of the device and the usual reply post card payment notice I6c and permit number' I6d or the like.

The post card has a tab portion I8 integral with portion I6 but united thereto by a perforated score I9, whereby the tab may be readily r separat-ed from the card prior to mailing. It may contain mailing or selection checking directions I8a or I8b or other legending.

The card I6 is nested in the envelope as illustrated. Then the article I5 is inserted. 'I'he tab 40 I8 is turned back so that article I5 is nested between the card and tab portions. The outer envelope is then sealed.

Movement of the card lengthwise of the envelope is prevented by the ends of the slits. 45 Movement of the card in a direction transverse thereto is prevented by the article. The article, therefore, serves as a locator or positioning device, for the card does not necessarily have to be substantially the full depth of the envelope, although in the drawings it is so illustrated.

The combination, therefore, insures constant registration of the recipients address lla in exposed relation, and also permits simultaneous removal of the card when the article is removed from the envelope by the recipient upon its receipt.

In Fig. 3 a modified form of the invention is illustrated. In this form similar numerals of the one hundred series indicate like or similar parts. In this form of the invention, the reply address device consists of an envelope H6, see Fig. 4 and Figs. 7 and 8 having one face exposed as at H1. Such exposed portion carries the recipient's address l Ila for delivery of the outer envelope and contents. The recipients address on the return mailing serves as a return address. face of the envelope is of the return reply type with the original senders address Hbl, reply postage notice HGc and meter number HBd thereon as required by postal regulation.

In this instance the flap H8 of the inner envelope is turned opposite to its normal position at H9. The article H5 is nested between the inner envelope proper and its sealing flap H8.

The inner envelope H6 may have different selections HBa printed thereon for checking by the receiver to designate size, color and/or material. The inner envelope when mailed may containthe purchase price.

The operation and use of both forms of the invention, except as pointed out hereinbefore, are substantially the same.

In instances where a saving in postage is to be effected, the outside envelope preferably is of the postal inspection type, that is, one portion of it such as a tuck-in end may be readily opened for inspectioncf the contents of the envelope by the postal authorities.

When saving in postage is not desired the outside envelope may be of the full sealed character. These general types of envelopes being well known in the industry, they are not specifically illustrated or otherwise described herein.

While the invention vhas `been described and illustrated in great detail in the foregoing specification and attached drawings, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character. These modica'tions as well as others which Ywill readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, `are all considered to be within the broad scope `of the invention, reference being had to theappended claims.

The invention claimed is:-

1. In combination an envelope including a pair oi adjacent slits, an article loosely mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of j, slightly lesser area than the envelope, and an ad- `dressed reply structure kin the envelope and threaded Vthrough the slits for exposure-0I an address portion between the slits, the eiiiective length of the slits being slightly greater than the width of the'exposed structure, one end of the structure being turned back upon the same,`the article being nested between the structure and its turned-back end.

2. In combination an envelope including a pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of slightly lesser area than the envelope, and an addressed reply structure in the envelope and threaded through the slits .for exposure of an address portion between the slits, the effective length of vthe slits being slightly greater than the width of the exposed structure, one end of the structure beingturned back upon the same, .the article vbeing .nested between the structure and its .turned-back end, the kslits being substantially parallel, each endthereof being ext-ended angularly of the main portion, the angular ends of The other each slit being oppositely directed and the adjacent ends of adjacent slits being similarly directed.

3. In combination an envelope including a pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely 'mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of slightly lesser area than the envelope, and an addressed reply structure in the envelope and threaded through the slits for exposure of an address portion between the slits, the effective length of the slits being slightly greater than the width of the exposed structure, one end of the structure Vbeing turned back upon the same, the article'being nested between the structure and its turned-back end, the address structureV comprising a reply post card and tab portion connected thereto by a perforated score connection, the tab portion constituting the turned-back end.

4. In combination an envelope including a pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of slightly lesser area than the envelope, andan addressed replyV structure in the envelope and threaded through the slits for exposure of an address portion between th-e slits, the effective length of the slits being slightly greater than the width of the exposed structure, one end of the structure being turned back upon the same, the article being nested between the structure and its turned back end, the address structure comprising a reply envelope and the turned back portion comprising the flap thereof. y

5. In combination an envelope including a pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of slightly lesser area than the envelope, and an addressed reply structure in the envelope and threaded through the slits for exposure of an address portion between the slits, the effective length of the slits being slightly greater than the width of the exposed structure, one end of the structure being turned back upon the same, the article being nested between the structure and its turned-back end, the turned-back portion being positioned at the top of the envelope whereby article removal simultaneously removes the addressed reply structure from the envelope.

6. VIn combination an envelope includinga pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of slightly lesser area thanY the envelope, andan addressed reply'structureY in the envelope and threaded through the slits for exposure of an address portion between the slits, the effective length of 'the slits being slightly greater ythan the width of the exposed structure, one end ofv the structure being turned back upon the same, the article being nested between the structure and its turned-backend, the slits being substantially parallel, vthe address structure comprising a Areply post 'card and tab portion .connected thereto by a perforatedscore connection, the tab portion constituting the turned-back end.

7. In combination an envelope includinga pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely vmounted therein of substantially the same outline as ,and of slightly lesser area than the envelope, and an addressed reply structure in the envelope and threaded through the slits for exposure oi an address portion between the slits the effective length of the slits being slightly greater than the width of the exposed structure, one end of the structure being turned back-.upon the same, the article being nested between the structure land its turned-back end, the slits being substantially parallel, each end thereof being extended angularly of the main portion, the address structure comprising a reply post card and tab portion connected thereto by a perforated score connection, the tab portion constituting the turnedback end.

8. In combination an envelope including a pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of slightly lesser area than the envelope, and an addressed reply structure in the envelope and threaded through the slits for exposure of an address portion between the slits, the effective length of the slits being slightly greater than the width of the exposed structure, one end of the structure being turned back upon the same, the article being nested between the structure and its turned-back end, the slits being substantially parallel, each end thereof being extended angularly of the main portion, the angular ends of each slit being oppcsitely directed and the adjacent ends of adjacent slits being similarly directed, the address structure comprising a reply post card and tab portion connected thereto by a perforated score connection, the tab portion constituting the turned-back end.

9. In combination an envelope including a pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of slightly lesser area than the envelope, and an addressed reply structure in the envelope and threaded through the slits for exposure of an address portion between the slits, the effective length of the slits being slightly greater than the Width of the exposed structure, one end of the the structure being turned back upon the same, the article being nested between the structure and its turned-back end,A the slits being substantially parallel, each end thereof being extended angularly of the main portion, the angular ends of each slit being oppositely directed and the adjacent ends of adjacent slits being similarly directed, the address structure comprising a reply envelope and the turned-back portion comprising the ap thereof.

10. In combination an envelope including a pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of slightly lesser area than the envelope, and an addressed reply structure in the envelope and threaded through the slits for exposure of an address portion between the slits, the effective length of the slits being slightly greater than the width of the exposed structure, one end of the structure being turned back upon the same, the article being nested between the structure and its turned-back end, the slits being substantially parallel, each end thereof being extended angularly of the main portion, the angular ends of each slit being oppositely directed and the adjacent ends of adjacent slits being similarly directed, the turned-back portion being positioned at the top of the envelope whereby article removal simultaneously removes the addressed reply structure from the envelope.

1l. In combination an envelope including a pair of adjacent slits, an article loosely mounted therein of substantially the same outline as and of slightly lesser area than the envelope, and an addressed reply structure in the envelope and threaded through the slits for exposure of an address portion between the slits, the effective length of the slits being slightly greater than the Width of the exposed structure, one end of the structure being turned back upon the saine, the article being nested between the structure and its turned-back end, the length of the address structure, less the turned-back portion being slightly less than the width of the envelope measured transverse to the slits.

CHAUNCEYv KENNETH MILLER. 

